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Summary: WITHOUT A DOUBT: THE BEST ELVIS PRESLEY BIOGRAPHY
Review: Every book written about Elvis Presley lacks two things: the essence of the person and a full explanation of the magic of Elvis Presley. Galarchuk's book "Last Train to Memphis" provides the answer to both questions, plus much more. This book will appeal to readers who are not fans of Presley's music because it the book describes Presley rise to the top of the music industry with the hype or destruction of most Presley books. A strongpoint of the book is the early 1950s, the period when Elvis emerged from a shy, poor, and sheltered teenager with a into a mega star with an unlimited one. He also dispells the critics who do not respect Presley's musical talent giving him little or no credit for the production of his music. Galarchuk very strongly illustrates that Elvis was the driving force behind the musical material in the early years before Colonel Parker took complete control of Presley's career. The secret of this book is the number of unfamilar persons who knew Elvis and were able to provide insights to the man that have never been heard before. The most interesting voice from these persons was Dixie Locke, who knew Elvis better than anyone because she was there when he crossed the bridge from the unknown Elvis into the bright lights where he became "The King" and would never be able to go back to the "old" Elvis again.
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Summary: This REALLY IS one of the best biographies of anybody, ever!
Review: Extremely well-written bio, it took me right back to the 50's. Shows how important Sam Phillips was in the genesis of Elvis' "new" style of music. Gives glimpses into the King's initially very conservative moral stand - no drinking or smoking. Sometimes he even read from the Bible to his dates. The book takes us to the day he is shipped out to Germany. Towards the later chapters, darkness seems to creep into Elvis' life. He is very fearful, and the death of his mother appears to almost destroy his self-confidence. It gives great insight into just how and why Elvis' music was truly revolutionary. Shows how Elvis rose to the top thanks to three forces. First of course was his own talent, drive, ambition and energy. Then there was Sam Phillips who not only recognized that this phenomenon was totally new and different, but helped steer Elvis in the right direction musically. And finally there was the very clever Colonel Tom Parker, who was like a field general obsessed with effectively promoting Elvis' career. All in all, this book is hard to put down - in fact one wishes it would never end because it is such an enjoyable read.
Rating:
Summary: This REALLY IS one of the best biographies of anybody, ever!
Review: Extremely well-written bio, it took me right back to the 50's. Shows how important Sam Phillips was in the genesis of Elvis' "new" style of music. Gives glimpses into the King's initially very conservative moral stand - no drinking or smoking. Sometimes he even read from the Bible to his dates. The book takes us to the day he is shipped out to Germany. Towards the later chapters, darkness seems to creep into Elvis' life. He is very fearful, and the death of his mother appears to almost destroy his self-confidence. It gives great insight into just how and why Elvis' music was truly revolutionary. Shows how Elvis rose to the top thanks to three forces. First of course was his own talent, drive, ambition and energy. Then there was Sam Phillips who not only recognized that this phenomenon was totally new and different, but helped steer Elvis in the right direction musically. And finally there was the very clever Colonel Tom Parker, who was like a field general obsessed with effectively promoting Elvis' career. All in all, this book is hard to put down - in fact one wishes it would never end because it is such an enjoyable read.
Rating:
Summary: A must read
Review: Guralnick gives us Elvis Presley before anyone knew his name, showing readers what this boy was like before he was the King. A frank, wonderful biography that shows us why our country is the way it is, and only reinforces Elvis Presley as the most influential white man in music in the past 100 years or so. I am a 25 year old white male who grew up in the North, and never was exposed to Elvis. I read this book to learn more about the man everyone talks about, the one people are obsessed about, and discovered why his influence lasts. A powerful, un-put-down-able read.
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Summary: Reverent and Respectful
Review: Guralnick takes a scholarly approach to an American Pop Icon, giving a detailed, fact-based account of The King without the sensationalistic, tabloid-style trashiness found in other quickly-written-for-profit, exploitative Elvis books. He divides his work into two books: the first, Last Train to Memphis, traces his meteoric rise, while the second explores more aspects of his superstardom and then his decline. Guralnick's books on Elvis Presley are a welcome addition for those interested in a serious, respectful treatise on a talented, generous, and complex artist.
Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: Guralnick writes an amazingly detailed account with deep insights into the feelings and motivations of Elvis and the people who surrounded him. I was left with the impression that his first objective was a quality product, not financial gain. I could envision him pouring over piles of newspaper clippings, photographs, and earlier biographies, and diligently interviewing a host of people, one after the other. His attention to detail does not destroy the book's read-ability. In fact, it reads easily, almost like a novel. It is a must-read for anyone wanting to know the real story of Elvis's life.
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Summary: The Very Best Book on Elvis Presley Ever
Review: I am a 27 year old memphis native, and, as such, grew up with an interest in Elvis, despite the "uncool" stigma attached. This is a wonderful, honest and incredibly enjoyable book, and hopefully will help people see beyond the media's biased view of this man.
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Summary: A semi-talented writer with NO ELVIS BACKGROUND
Review: I am not impressed over Peter Guralnick whatsoever! WHO IS HE ACTUALLY?
A longtime Elvis fan? NO
An Elvis collector? NO
Someone who followed Elvis around? NO
A friend of Elvis'? NO Just how many Elvis concerts did ole Guralnick go to WHEN ELVIS WAS ALIVE? (impersonators don't count here?)
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Summary: Feeling What Elvis Felt
Review: I can't believe that someone could actually write a book this good. I felt what Elvis was feeling at very moment; while walking down streets, in studios, everwhere. I felt I was beside him while he went though his early life. Peter Guralnick was on a roll when he wrote this. None can compare. Buy it.
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Summary: should be assigned in history classes!!
Review: I don't own a single note Elvis Presley ever sang. I've never been particularly interested in his life or his music. The only other popular music books I've ever read are largely about punk rock, my true musical obsession. Yet my interest was piqued by the rave reviews this book received. Perhaps because of my interest in punk, and to a lesser extent 60's protest music, I've always been fascinated by the way in which popular culture both reflects and constructs its contemporary historical context. And what Guralnick does so brilliantly in this book is distill precisely that relationship. This book is simply a beautiful portrait of 1950s America, of a strange decade when outward moral propriety just began to hint at the possibilty of subversive rebellion. Who better to embody that contradiction than a shy, polite religious boy from Tupelo who somehow transformed his love of gospel into seminal - the MOST seminal - rock and roll? Guralnick eloquently portrays both the humanity and poignancy of his subject, and through it, the humanity and poignancy of a historical era on the verge of massive disruption. It still seems quiet and respectful and homely - like Elvis himself - and yet somehow you just know that lurking beneath the surface is genuine social rebellion. A great book, a page-turner. So good I might even pick up an Elvis record.
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